Customer Feedback

Advanced Elements is imported and sold by Nick Pipe at Vortex, an independent retailer. Vortex aims to provide the very best advice & support for what is now Advanced Elements' main UK presence. Some great reviews below, but if I do make a mistake with an order or there is a problem I'll do my best to resolve the problem is the most efficient way!

Customer Feedback

It is great to hear how you are getting on with your kayak, so please email Vortex once you've had a paddle. Thanks to our customers that have permitted their feedback to be published on the website:

"Excellent service all round with helpful advice on the product at the time of purchase. It doesn't get better than that. First class!" Allan. New Romney, Kent.

"Thank you Nick for great deal! The kayak arrived, very nice! The only thing is that UPC (Norway) didn't ring me before
delivering. I was homeand they
have my phone number. I didn't hear the door bell so I hadto goand pick up the package at the depot the next day. But it is not Vortex's fault. Regards." Yves, Norway.

"Hi Nick Just to thank you for an excellent customer experience. After ordering on line, you dispatched the goods very quickly and they arrived the next day. The kayak and extras were packaged extremely well and the products themselves were excellent quality. Had a dry run today to inflate the kayak and your additional notes were very useful. Really pleased with our purchases. Looking forward to getting on the water! Thanks again." C.W, Stratford Upon Avon.

"I'm new to Kayaking so really wanted to discuss my options prior to purchase. Give Nick a call, his professional and friendly advice was exactly what I needed. Nick ensured I made the right purchase by first evaluating my requirements with zero interest in the sale. Nick's customer service is first class with super fast delivery. Everything is well packed and included are custom instructions / advice from Nick - Perfect. I couldn't be more delighted and look forward to ordering again soon as the wife now wants an Advanced Elements kayak as well :-) - Thank you Nick - much appreciated." Nick Moody - Peterborough.

"I ordered the kayak online on Sunday evening from Vortex
in Mynydd Llandegai & early next morning Nick was on the phone to discuss
what I had ordered. His specialist knowledge allowed me to modify my order to
take into account certain requirements that I had (the kayak was a gift for my
wife). Nick could not have been more helpful & he is clearly geared towards
giving the best advice rather than simply upselling things that may not be
appropriate.
Product arrived next day & we set it up for the wife
& off she went, like a duck to water.
A great quality product, with equally great customer
service from Nick.
Very highly recommended, buy with confidence". Dave Hill NW Leicestershire.

"I just wanted to say
how impressed I was with the service I received from Vortex when ordering our
Advanced Elements kayak - it was fantastic! The instructions you added to our
package were very informative and made the whole set-up a lot more manageable.
We also thank you for the dry-bag you added in - it's been very useful! We have
been out on a good few adventures already (I've attached a few photos of our
latest Thames excursion).
I will absolutely be
using Vortex for any future kayak-related purchases! Thank you again." MG, Berkshire.

"We identified the kayak that met our needs (two seater Lagoon) on Wednesday evening and placed our order. Confirmation of order and planned despatch timings received via email later same evening. Kayak received Friday lunchtime. Could not have been more pleased with the product or helpful support given. As suggested, we had a dry run setting it up and followed the instructions - successfully inflated kayak with minimum fuss. Can't wait to get out on the water in next few days." M.S, Cardigan.

"Always a fast order confirmation and despatch from Nick, thanks." Gary.

"Easy to order via website, quick delivery.". D.M, Stirling.

"Excellent service, rang with a question about a 10 year old AE Expedition Lite. Nick not only knew what I was talking about but also gave advice on what part I needed. On the phone he was chatty and I felt like he was as interested in keeping me paddling as much selling me stuff. My order arrived next day well packaged, having received an email letting me know it was on its way, including a short personal note. Thank you for your help and great service. I am sure I will be back." John N, Edinburgh.

"I have been out in my new Advanced Elements Expedition Elite Kayak twice now and spent over 10 hours in it, exploring the local rivers and am totally loving it. It opens up access to hidden wildlife and scenery which I would never expected to see right in the middle of an urban area. Time spent it the boat provides the ultimate in peace and quiet and relaxation. A total revelation!

Having previously done lots of SCUBA diving, skiing and sailing, I can say truthfully that, this kayak is without doubt, my favourite investment in leisure equipment of all time. I really love my new boat.
Setup and launch is easy, is supremely stable, easy to paddle and tracks straight, without having to make constant corrections.

Can't wait to get it on the sea next year.

Huge thanks to Nick at Vortex for being so helpful and for getting my kayak to me on a the next day delivery, so that I could enjoy the bank holiday sunshine." Mark, Leamington Spa, Warks.

"Thanks Nick, there is a good reason I have been doing business with you and that is your service and engagement. Amazon may have been cheaper on occasion but when the difference is not large it is an easy choice. My friends and I prefer to support a small UK business than a giant. This level of service must at times be hard work but because of this we have placed further orders with you although it has not always been the cheapest option. Four advanced frame kayaks and accessories later I hope proves your efforts are worthwhile. Trying not to covert an Airfusion Elite now :-)". Jonathan Lockie.

"Nick many thanks for your
advice last week it was a great help in making my final decision also for the
good communication and the very fast
dispatch/ delivery . I am very impressed with the quality of your product and
would recommend it to others looking for this type kayak." Paul, Suffolk.

"As every newbie I've ordered things I did not know I
don't need but Nick was quick to help me and guide me through the deep waters
of kayaking explaining in detail and trying hard to keep my interest in his
heart. Excellent service. I regret I can't buy my dry suit from
here too". Zak, Co.Down.

"Superb, reliable service and products which
could possibly cause repeat-customers like me to shout about Advanced Elements
to total strangers in the street!" Switzerland.

"A
great service. I ordered the AE Convertible on the Monday and received delivery
in France on the Wednesday". Andy, France.

"Superb
service! If only every online retailer were like you. Added bonus was the DPD
delivery service, timely and efficient. Thank you so much." C.B. Fife.

"Excellence all the way!". Vince, Slovenia.

"Thank you so much for helping my friend get her Advanced Frame, I had no hesitation in recommending you to her, and the wonderful AE brand. We had so much fun with her wee AE and my AE convertible in the far North of Scotland, we had mixed weather but found our kayaks cut through choppy waves and felt safe and stable. The kayaks attract a lot of attention and I have directed several more people to your website. Your advice, prompt service and attention to detail are second to none and I look forward to augmenting my kit from your stock in the future!" Victoria, Scotland.

"Nice to have such a reliable company that can
provide parts and support for my little fleet of AE kayaks!" Dean, Ipswitch.

"Today was the first trip on the lake with the Advanced Elements Convertible kayak. Thanks to Nick's additional information sheet on inflating the kayak there was no problem. When paddling it tracks nice and easy, very manoeuvrable in choppy conditions." Ray C, Reading.

"Love the kayaks and service is totally awesome!" MJ, Coventry.

"Thank you very much for the prompt dispatch time which will help me back on the water quickly". James, Emsworth.

"Great service all round." David, Windermere.

"...a shining example of customer service, delivered just the way it should be as far as I'm concerned. I can't recommend Vortex highly enough". Bob B, Perthshire.

"Nick, A great big thank-you for all the advice, your
patience and for getting all the gear to me so quickly and fuss-free. I've
certainly got more than enough to get me going for a month in France but will
no doubt be in touch as I get more competent and confident with a blow-up
boat! I am delighted to be able to recommend you as a knowledgeable supplier
and will certainly advise people to come to you for advice and a great deal. All
the best." Roger.

"Thank you for excellent service and quick delivery!"A.H, Finland.

"Excellent all round service with very knowledgeable
advice much appreciated by a beginner." Bob, Blairgowrie.

"It's been a pleasure in having a supplier who knows what
he talking about and helping with people new to the sport. Looking forward to
dealing with you again". Anthony, Shropshire.

"Thanks for a great shopping experience. The
fastest support that I have experienced, even during our questions sent by mail
at night. I be happy to tell anyone interested in our air kayak to check your
website." M. Sweden.

"Your phone advice and support was outstanding thank
you. It made a massive difference by
helping me select the right kayak for our needs, which would have been very
different if only selecting from the info online.
The kayak is outstanding,
amazingly easy to use, and easily as good as a rigid kayak with the fab
flexibility of it being so portable and
fast to get ready. Having had rigid kayaks in the past...never
again!
I wasn't expecting delivery to be so fast (next
day!), poss save money by offering a slower service?" Customer from Norwich.

"Just
a quick note to let you know we took the Convertible out on Sunday. Being the first
time using a inflatable kayak and not been on the water for a number of years
we were a little anxious as to how we were going to get on, we need not have
worried, the whole event was a pleasure. The kayak was incredibly easy to
inflate (& deflate) it was very stable getting into and out of and very
easy to manoeuvre in the water. We had planned to go out for about an hour but
found ourselves on the river for over two hours, we had a really lovely time".
Sally, Surrey.

"Nick, A great big thank-you for all the advice, your
patience and for getting all the gear to me so quickly and fuss-free. I've
certainly got more than enough to get me going for a month in France but will
no doubt be in touch as I get more competent and confident with a blow-up
boat!! I am delighted to be able to recommend you as a knowledgeable supplier
and will certainly advise people to come to you for advice and a great deal. All
the best." RA, Warminster.

"Just bought two Advanced Frame kayaks and are extremely pleased with them, very easy to set up, they perform well in the sea, all in all, exactly what we wanted from an inflatable. Ease of transport with these makes all the difference. Nick was great to deal with, very helpful and knowledgeable.Thoroughly recommended!". P. Hodges, Isle of Wight.

"Ordered Advanced Frame Expedition midday Wednesday and received 09:30 the next day. This is the best delivery service I have ever received from any company." Selwyn. Coventry.

"Nick certainly knows his products, just purchased on his advice an Advanced Elements Convertible, it is a dream to set up, a dream on the water, stable, sturdy and great fun. The whole experience including email support and phone calls are second to none." Scott, Perth.

"I cannot praise Nick, at Vortex, highly enough for his follow up service. On two separate occasions he has gone way beyond the call of duty (in time and cost) to solve problems that arose, through no fault of his or the product, with my original purchase (made some years previously). I have never known such back-up and feel it is worthy of mention..." J.T, Glasgow.

"It has been a joy to use this site, and the personal service is excellent! Thanks Nick for the phone call! I will stay in touch to let you know how we get on; and knowing me--I will have some questions!." P, Scotland.

"Outstandingly quick service. Ordered it late on Saturday night; used it before work on Tuesday morning!" Anon.

"I have had a very satisfactory and rewarding experience in all of my dealings with Nick and his team." P.B. London.

"A quick note to say thank you for the speed in your replies and the speed of the delivery." J.W. Essex.

"Brilliant courier! it arrived just after 10.00am. this morning talk about speedy - ordered Monday at 4.00pm - delivered Tuesday at 10.00am. 10 out of 10!" D.S. Hampshire.

"Looking at online product description can sometimes be not enough to make a purchase decision. If you're unsure which boat to go for just phone Nick. He'll ask you the right questions about what you want to do with the boat and will come up with the right solution. I had hesitated for 2 years to get an inflatable but now we got 2 and love them. Thanks Nick again. Rachel & Cedric" C.Colombo, Edinburgh.

"The service here is truly outstanding!!! Within a few hours of ordering I received an e-mail to say I'd be receiving the kayak the next day.....and I did!!! I ordered the Expedition and as soon as it arrived, binned work to get it inflated and have a look!!! I had a couple of questions to ask about it so e-mailed Nick and got immediate answers....to the point it may as well have been on IM!!!! Seriously impressed with the service here!!!!!!" Rob, Basingstoke.

"Amazing delivery, superb service. Can not be faulted. So impressed I'm looking for an excuse to order something else!" Rob, Argyll.